Hankering for a Phone: AT&T fine tune its EDGE network, Apple Preps 3 Million units

With the launch date looming ever so near, two companies most invested in the iPhone are making some last minute preparations.

AT&T has been busy upgrading their EDGE network for the past 6 weeks now. Scheduled to finish by the 15th of June, project "Fine Edge" involves adding T-1 connections to some of AT&T's poorest performing towers in an effort to improve the network's throughput, latency and coverage, to double their current data rate of 40kbps to the current industry minimum of 80kbps.

Apple on the other hand are busy preparing 3 million units of the iPhone. While it's been said that there will be an intentional supply shortage of the revolutionary handheld, this latest tidbit of news should be enough to put it to rest. Then again, there was also something in the news about 3 million being the maximum number of iPhones to be sold this year. Whether they'll really be able to stagger sales throughout what remains of 2007 remains to be seen.

If AT&T isn't going to be able to deliver the service that the projected 3 million potential new subscribers will need or if any of the 3 million Apple iPhones turn out to be lemons, iPhone critics are going to have a hay day, and lawyers from both companies are going to have their hands quite full.

(fine edge source)

(3 million source)

Hankering for a Phone: iPhone Release slated for the 29th

Yes. It's confirmed. The iPhone can be yours on the 29th of June, not the 20th as it was formerly assumed to be.

The commercial was aired on 60 minutes, and is available for viewing at the apple site. Apple iPhone owners-to-be are shaking in their shoes, sweating in their seats, and are getting ready to camp out in front of the nearest Apple store near them. No doubt the line is going to go around the block, and might even cross several pedestrian cross-walks.

It's rumored that there's going to be an iPhone stock shortage shortly after the release, not for the volume of pre-orders or the shortage of parts or anything like that though. Apparently, AT&T is going to control iPhone outflow from the source. It's supposedly standard practice when selling high-end phones.

So if you've got your heart set on owning one of these sought-after handsets on the first day, either get a-camping in front of the apple store bright and early several days in advance, or try falling in line at AT&T/Cingular outlets.

Good luck to you and anyone else attempting either though. :) if you happen to have $600 to spare, send one my way? :) I'll pay for shipping. Promise.